They had been walking for what seemed like ever in Nungal's books by the time they actually started to see other wild dogs around them. In reality though they had only been walking for maybe ten to twenty minutes as the dens had actually not been that far from where Endymion had been seated. In that time she had more properly introduced herself to her escort. It did seem slightly odd though for her to be following him around with him being only a small portion of her height, but she received no strange looks from the other canines around her. Was this pup someone of importance or rather was his mother? "Sooo, what's your mother like Endymion?"
"She's a kind woman, but she has a lot to do these days what with Baraza Alnitak always on her case about every little thing. I assume she is likely consulting the stars for guidance at this point or resting on her usual perch. One of the two. Come on then, I'll take you to her spot. You can usually find her up there thinking." Endymion replied, giving the joining rogue a quick smile as his clumsy, awkward paws carried him through the grass and up towards a small mound behind the Baraza den.
Sure enough Alnilam was seated at the top of said mound. Her son did seem to know her well enough already despite his youth. Perhaps she did not give him enough credit for his mind. A sigh escaped the mother's mouth as her tail slowly wrapped around her to rest at her side. There was much to think about in the recent days. The pack was recovering but it was still small, much too small for her liking. Perhaps soon she would need to venture out in to the rogue lands and search for more wild dogs willing to join their ranks or send Karoma to do it in her stead as it was unlikely she would just leave Alnitak in control of the pack with Mintaka still missing.
So that was this little pup's mother. She was..."Beautiful." The word did not mean to slip out of her mouth, but it just had. Just as quickly Nungal's ears went back and her tail tucked itself between her legs. "What should I do Endymion?" Her red eyes quickly turned to look down at her new little friend with worry in her eyes. "I've never joined a pack before and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do when I want to join one. Is there some kind of code I'm supposed to follow?"
"Oh for goodness sake, just go up there and talk to her. Tell her you want to join the pack. I'm sure she'd love to hear that at this point 'cause it looks like it was a rough night so far." Endymion rolled his eyes as he moved behind the older female to nudge her towards his mother with all his small amount of might. How could someone so much older than him be so incompetent? It was a wonder to the young pup that she had even managed to survive until now.
"Endymion, I know that you." Alnilam spoke without even looking back at the two of them. It would have been a strange sight anyways with her son pushing at some strangers backside. "Now who is your friend? I don't recognize their voice. You know I'm busy when I'm up here." And usually she did not like interruptions but the Baraza always seemed to make time for her children.
"I...I'm Nungal. I'm wanting to join your pack so Endymion here brought me to see you. I'm g-guessing your the alpha around here then?" The words came slowly and were increasingly soft as they exited her mouth. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe she should just go back and live with her mother, brother and sister again. Life was simple then but it was also uneventful. No, this was her choice. She wanted more out of her life then she could have gotten staying with them. While she missed them terribly, this was definitely the way to go!
At first Endymion thought she would faint right then and there but much to his pleasant surprise Nungal seemed to get some kind of confidence the longer the silence lingered in the air. Now that the word was out that she wanted to join the pack, he sat behind her, looking out from the side to see if his mother had moved yet. It was just a waiting game now. What would his mother say in reply to her request? Oh the anticipation was killing him.
Finally Alnilam turned her head to look back at this Nungal and her son who quick jerked his head back to hide behind the young female's body. "So you wish to join the ranks of the Nyota-Wasomaji? I am no alpha, but rather a Baraza. My father was a Baraza before me and so shall one of my children likely become one after me. I am a member of the council of three, or rather two at the moment. You see, my father died during the Great Tremble that decimated this pack. We are still now recouping from our losses during that time. We lost all of our council and now I am one of them along with Alnitak, a war hero among us. Mintaka, a Nova or elder as many outsiders would call him, would be our third but he is missing." The starry-pelted female's head turned away once against to raise and look towards the partial moon high above them. "We are in a hard time right now. Do you still wish to join us?"
Nungal swallowed hard, unsure of what she should say. Eventually though the adolescent canine managed to get a nod and a few words out. "Yes, I still do." They were simple enough words, but she figured they were the words that this 'Baraza' wanted to hear rather then a no or a maybe right now. She shifted slightly on the ground, trying to raise the nerve to continue speaking on the matter but her voice refused to cooperate a second time around. Now all she could hope was her few words did the trick for now.
Oh what could he do? Endymion had already brought her before his mother in hopes that she would just accept her right then and there but that did not seem like it would be the case or not as far as he could see. Before the little pup had a chance to even say anything on Nungal's behalf Alnilam started speaking, quickly silencing anything that he was going to say before he even said it.
"You are either a fool or brave of heart. Regardless, the Nyota-Wasomaji will welcome another fool into its embrace." Alnilam stated with a small bit of pride in her voice this time around. With her back still to the two and the glow of the moon silhouetting her, she did not even need to look back at the two to know how her agreement to allow Nungal in affected the look on their faces. While this newcomer was young and still growing, perhaps she would bring something new to the pack with her new blood.
"Oh thank you! I won't let you down. I'll work as hard as anyone else around her." Nungal replied, her words nearly running together as the happiness inside of her welled up to the joint she could scarcely hold it in. Of course she did try to hold it in though, to appear mannered. She might not be in the presence of an alpha, but for this pack, this baraza rank was one of equal importance.
"I can escort her around and I'll help her find her constellation, mother. I'm sure her life has some kind of adventure that would provide a wonderful addition to the den walls." Finally Endymion spoke up as he stepped out from behind his new companion who he hoped to make into a friend in the future. Despite being so young comparatively, he knew more about their way of life than her and many of the adults were busy with various tasks. He had the time and was also willing.
"Hm, if you wish that Endymion, you have my blessing. Aid her in helping her find her constellation then send her back to me so that she may tell me of it before we carve." The eldest of the three spoke as her tail moved from her right side to her left, never once looking back at the two happy wild dogs behind her before her next few words. "Now leave me. I have many things to think of." Finally did Alnilam look back over her shoulder, "Oh and Nungal. Welcome to the pack." With that final statement she turned her head back around and raised her eyes to the heavens.
"Come on then, Nungal." Endymion whispered as he rose up onto his paws and moved away from his mother. They had work to do and the sooner they found her constellation the better off they'd both be. His mom did always like things to be prompt, but one could not rush the finding of one's constellation, one's inner self. Regardless of the time needed, the sooner they started, the sooner they'd be done. With that thought in mind, the pair of still growing wild dogs left the company of Baraza Alnilam.
[Word Count: 1,622]